The 24-year-old last night continued his quest to usurp Haddin as Australia's first-choice wicketkeeper with a mature half-century on ODI debut as a buoyant Australia defeated world champions India by 65 runs with more than two overs to spare at the MCG.

Wade's 67 from 69 balls was the sixth-highest score by an Australian debutant in ODI history.

His has been a seamless transition to international cricket; in the two Twenty20 matches before the one-day series, Wade struck 72 as an opener and 32 down the order. Last night, his glove work could not be faulted, either. He pouched two catches to dismiss Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma as part of a slick Australian fielding effort.

John Inverarity's selection panel is now confronting a headache of its own creation, having stated that Haddin had been rested rather than dropped from the first three matches.

It is conceivable Wade could be retained as a specialist batsman even if Haddin is recalled, but it is hard to see how the veteran wicketkeeper could tip Wade out of the side given the Victorian's rich form.

After his second man of the match award in three appearances, Wade said he had not allowed himself to think beyond the first three matches.

''If you look too far ahead you don't know what is going to happen,'' he said. ''It's a pretty fickle game that we play so you've got to live in the moment and concentrate on the next ball. It's every kid's dream to put on the Australian kit and walk out at the MCG so I am loving every minute of it at the moment. I definitely feel like I am keeping as well as I ever have.

''To be in the environment of the Australian cricket team I am catching more balls every day and things are going really well, so I feel on top of my game.''

Wade said the onslaught before the rain had not been premeditated. ''He [Praveen] was bowling really well and I was trying to mix up his length a bit. I was batting out of my crease a bit for the ball I managed to hit for six and then I went back, because they were bowling an exceptional length.''

Wade batted in difficult conditions either side of a long rain delay. He shared a 73-run partnership with Mike Hussey off 70 balls.